From high school to college to the majors, a large chunk of Merrill Kelly’s baseball career has taken place right here in Arizona. Now, the former Yavapai College pitcher is moving to another state. Just minutes before the close of last night’s trade deadline, Kelly was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Texas Rangers. The D-backs get three minor league pitchers in exchange.
In seven seasons with Arizona, Kelly compiled a record of 62-50 with a 3.74 ERA and 865 strikeouts. So far this season, he is 9-6 with a 3.22 ERA, 121 strikeouts, and 38 walks in 128 innings.
Kelly graduated from Yavapai College in 2009 with a 15-1 record. He was also an all-conference first team selection. He spent the 2010 season at ASU, where he went 10-3 and made the All-Pac-10 Team. After being drafted by Tampa Bay and spending a few years in the minors, he pitched for the SK Wyverns in the Korea Baseball Organization before being picked up by the Diamondbacks.